a&o Insider Tips for Berlin-Friedrichshain

Berlin-Friedrichshain is one of the city’s most dynamic and vibrant neighbourhoods, blending history, creativity and exciting nightlife. Whether you’re after a tasty meal, cool shopping spots, or a night out on the town, Friedrichshain’s got something for everyone. Here's a quick guide with some of the best recommendations. And let’s not forget, Friedrichshain is where the a&o Hostel story started! The a&o Hostel Berlin Friedrichshain is still the go-to place to stay in the area. But don’t worry, the other a&o hostels in Berlin are also close by, so exploring Friedrichshain is easy wherever you’re staying!

Food and drink

Friedrichshain has an impressive range of places to eat and drink to suit all tastes and budgets.

Restaurants and Cafés

• Restaurant Schneeweiß: A sleek, modern spot with a Scandinavian vibe, serving up Alpine dishes like their signature Wiener Schnitzel and Kaiserschmarrn.
• Burgeramt: A local favourite for juicy burgers. They’ve got everything from classic cheeseburgers to more adventurous options with unique ingredients.
• 1990 Vegan Living: A must for vegan food lovers, offering fresh and flavorful Vietnamese-inspired vegan dishes in a cosy setting.
• Silo Coffee: The place to be for coffee enthusiasts, known for its top-quality hand-roasted coffee and healthy breakfasts like avocado toast and porridge.
• Kaffeehaus KuchenRausch: A charming café with a Viennese feel, perfect for indulging in their selection of cakes and tarts during a laid-back afternoon break.

Bars, Pubs and Beer Gardens

• Kater Blau: A Berlin nightlife institution, this riverside bar and club serves up electronic beats in a fun, artsy atmosphere.
• Hops & Barley: If craft beer is your thing, you have to visit Hops & Barley. They brew their own beer and offer seasonal and experimental varieties.
• Feuermelder: Situated near Boxhagener Platz, this no-nonsense pub is a classic spot for drinks in the heart of Friedrichshain's nightlife scene.
• Paule’s Metal Eck: As the name suggests, it’s all about loud rock music here. This dive bar is beloved by metalheads and hard music fans.
• MacLaren’s Pub: Sound familiar? It’s modelled after the pub from How I Met Your Mother. A fun place to pop in and grab a drink.
• Abgedreht: This is as Berlin as it gets – good beer, cocktails, tasty food and great music. What more do you need?
• Neue Zukunft: The former Zukunft has found a new home as Neue Zukunft, serving up their delicious "Goldene Zukunft" beer alongside indie films in their cosy little cinema.
• Cassiopeia Sommergarten: On the RAW area, this shady beer garden is a summer favourite, offering cold drinks and fun events like bingo and quiz nights.

Shopping

Friedrichshain is a haven for those who love to shop for one-of-a-kind treasures.

• Sing Blackbird: A vintage store with carefully curated clothing and accessories, plus a cute café to relax in after shopping for stylish retro pieces.
• Voo Store: This concept store offers a cool mix of fashion, books, and lifestyle products, featuring international and Berlin-based designers.
• Boxhagener Platz Flea Market: Every Sunday, this market is a treasure trove of vintage clothes, records, arts and crafts, and more. Perfect for bargain hunters!
• HHV: Short for Hip Hop Vinyl, HHV offers a wide selection of records beyond just hip hop, as well as merch and fashion.
• HUMANA: A massive second-hand fashion and vintage clothing store spread over four floors with great prices – right at Frankfurter Tor.

Sightseeing and Walks

Friedrichshain isn’t just about the nightlife. It also offers plenty of places for sightseeing and relaxing strolls.

Must-See Spots

• East Side Gallery: You can’t leave without seeing this. It’s the longest surviving section of the Berlin Wall, now covered in art from global artists.
• Frankfurter Tor: This striking gate marks the start of Karl-Marx-Allee, a grand boulevard that showcases post-war architecture at its finest.
• Uber Platz: Built by the Anschutz Entertainment Group, this area is packed with entertainment options like concert venues, cinemas, restaurants and bars – perfect for a fun day out.

Parks and Green Spaces

• Volkspark Friedrichshain: Berlin’s oldest park is ideal for a peaceful walk, picnic, or workout. Don’t miss the fairy tale fountain or the Bunkerberg for a great city view.
• Stralau Peninsula: Escape the city bustle with a peaceful walk along the Spree and Rummelsburger Bay.
• Boxhagener Platz: A small but lively park, especially on Sundays when the flea market takes over. It’s a local favourite, surrounded by great cafés and bars.

Nightlife and Going Out

Friedrichshain is famous for its lively club scene and alternative nightlife.

Clubs

• About Blank: Right next to the Ostkreuz station, this electro club is known for its top-notch parties.
• Berghain: The world-renowned club famous for its long-running parties and selective door policy. Expect the best in electronic music here.
• Matrix: Located near the Warschauer Straße station, Matrix has been around for nearly 30 years and is known for its appearances in the German TV show Berlin - Tag & Nacht. Parties kick off every night at 10 PM.
• Süß War Gestern: A laid-back bar/club combo with a mix of music genres, perfect for a chill night out with friends.
• Wilde Renate: Known for its all-night parties, this club near Elsenbrücke is a favourite for the dance-loving crowd – the party often lasts until the next afternoon!

Live Music

• Astra Kulturhaus: Located on the RAW area, Astra has been hosting concerts and parties for over 15 years.
• Badehaus: Just a short walk away, Badehaus is the place to be for live music lovers.
• Cassiopeia: Across the street, this underground venue is all about celebrating subculture.
• https://www.aohostels.com/en/berlin/berlin-friedrichshain/ Berlin’s biggest indoor arena hosts everything from ice hockey to concerts by major pop acts.
• Uber Eats Music Hall: A smaller sister venue to the arena, offering an exciting concert line up.

As you can see, Friedrichshain has it all – delicious food, unique shopping, thrilling nightlife and relaxing spots for a stroll. Whether you’re a foodie, party-goer, or culture buff, you’re sure to find something to love in this lively neighbourhood. Make sure you plan enough time to fully enjoy everything it has to offer!

Got hooked?

Then book your trip with a&o to Berlin!